Melbourne captain Max Gawn is set to miss up to six weeks after sustaining a fractured larynx during a training session.

The seven-time All-Australian ruckman suffered the injury in a contest at training, with subsequent scans revealing its severity. The 32-year-old has been advised to avoid any form of training for the next two weeks and refrain from contact drills for an additional four weeks.

Despite the injury, the club’s High-Performance Manager, Selwyn Griffith, confirmed that Gawn is maintaining a positive outlook.

“Max sustained a fractured larynx following a hit to the throat during training,” Griffith explained. “As part of his recovery, Max will not be able to exercise for the next fortnight and will then have a four-week period of non-contact training.”

Gawn was spotted walking laps during Wednesday’s training session as the team completed their pre-Christmas schedule.

In more encouraging news for the Demons, premiership players Bayley Fritsch and Christian Salem have returned to full training after recovering from their respective injuries.

Small forward Charlie Spargo, who was limited to just one game last season, and draftee Xavier Lindsay are also expected to join full training in January.

Meanwhile, defender Jake Lever has been cleared to return to training following shoulder surgery but remains restricted from contact drills.

“[Lever will] continue in a modified environment after Christmas as we gradually build his tolerance to contact training,” Griffith added. “We anticipate Jake will be back in full training by the end of January.”